A short Talk with Tristan Ridel (demi-Soloist, Vienna State Ballet): October 17th, 2019

When he enters a room you immediately realize why he also works as a model for a french agency – apart from his beautiful talent on stage - he also carries that kind of „chic", which French people are so known for, in his essence. Both his half French and half Vietnamese heritage combined themselves in a very pleasant way...

Mr Ridel auditioned in Vienna during the 2012 season and, he was offered an apprenticeship at HET (Dutch National Ballet) but he chose Vienna.And we are glad about that. Through the years he has been building a beautiful and very serious career. Just last September 18th he was promoted on stage to the position of a demi-soloist after one of Manuel Legris' „Sylvia" performance.

After greeting each other, I suddenly asked him about the way he creates a role or, more precisely, about his creative process.

„Ricardo, I always research about the characters, I try to watch videos from the original casts and adapt all that to my person, into my personality.

Of course, I do lots of research about the characters and I keep on trying new things to create a role!"

“Which were your favourite roles until now, Tristan?”

„Oh, definitely Wayne McGregor's „Eden Eden", which happened to be my very first chance to dance a solo, Lankedem in Le Corsaire, which I enjoyed very much to perform and„Eros" in Manuel Legris' „Sylvia", a beautiful role”

„And which brought you a promotion to Demi-Soloist... „ I add.

“Sylvia”: Copyright Vienna State Ballet & Ashley Taylor

„If I'd be a genie in a bottle and if I could you give you three „wishes" - I mean, three roles to dance – which would be the roles that you'd wish for?"

Without hesitating, he answers very straight forward: „First of all characters that are not „nice". Like „Abderakhman" in Raymonda... and Frollo in Petit's „Notre Dame de Paris" and... well... a nice character like Solor in „La Bayadére"! A role I like very much!"

“What about “style”?

„We are working at the moment on „Jewels", Balanchine's masterpiece... and we are very lucky to have great coaches – that is surely great luck - but although time is surely an issue, I tend to feel and believe that we are so lucky to be able to perform such a diversity of ballets and a very unique repertoire each season. Of course, it feels sometimes that time itself is often against us. This can be a challenge for everyone, from staff and dancers and even to the orchestra and costume department. But in spite of “time”, we always work together to achieve the best that we can with accuracy and passion.”

Copyright: Lara Giliberto (for the magazine “l’officiel homme”)

„There is this madness nowadays about „technique". Something that, in my point of view, leads to exaggeration and mechanism... How do you feel about that, Tristan?"

„Of course I am impressed by it... especially because this is something I do not possess. I simply don't have it. But I understand that it quite a dangerous attitude – it can rob you from all your Artistry and feelings... „ he says somehow sadly as if remembering examples of what he has just referred to.

„In which kind of ballets do you feel more „at home"? Abstract of classical roles?"

„I do like the challenge of roles that ask for more technique. These roles are not „exactly me" and that is more demanding. But, of course, on the other hand, I feel the strong pressure of doing something that is only extremely technical... because that is simply not me... To be quite honest with you: I do prefer roles in which I can portray a character and don't have to rely just on technique„

Copyright: Nikola Stojković

“Anything you'd like to add to this interview, Tristan?”

“Yes, and this is a must because it's about Vienna: there's so much more to life than just ballet... Culture is so important... and I have to say that I could not live in a city that cannot offer such cultural possibilities!!!!”

Thank you, dear Tristan, for such lovely moments so full of joy and earnestness. Merci for letting me enter your mind, your thoughts and your world!